Poll

Features

It is time for producers and landowners to consider planning for the next growing season.

Each fiscal year, the Natural Resources Conservation Service sets dates for program application ranking. Although dates may vary from one program to another, landowners may sign up at any time for all conservation programs.

Anyone can apply for assistance whether or not they have a conservation plan, but the first step will be to develop a plan that meets the participant’s objectives.

The seed analysis tag is your guarantee of what you are paying for. Good knowledge of what that tag tells you can be a useful tool in receiving the best value for your money. Be especially aware of the seed variety, pure seed, germination and test date on an analysis tag.

The Kentucky Seed Law requires a variety statement. Purchase seed that is labeled with a variety name. That can be an actual name or a designation that is a set of numbers and letters.

Cody Charles Phillip Sullivan of LaRue County High School’s FFA Chapter was named one of four national finalists in the Turf Grass Management - Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency award program in July. He competed to be named the national winner during the 82nd National FFA Convention, Oct. 21-24, in Indianapolis.

The LaRue County Fire Department requests notification of controlled burns to avoid unnecessary runs. If you plan to burn wood or brush piles, call 358-3122 or 358-9876, Ext. 6, first.

Blood drive training

American Red Cross blood drive volunteer training will be 9 a.m. March 16 at the Red Cross office, 405 W. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown. Volunteers must be at least 18. Call 765-4979 to register or for more information.

LaRue County recently received approval of $130,000 to offer the County Agricultural Investment Program this year. This program combines all the old model programs previously offered by the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy into one grant program that is administered by one agency instead of several; in our case, the LaRue County Beef Cattle Association. The grant administrator is Dyan Puckett.

Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer urges ginseng dealers and sellers to operate within the laws governing the sales of ginseng roots.

“The ginseng trade can be both profitable and sustainable, but only if everyone follows the rules,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I encourage dealers to watch for roots that are not legal to sell. Harvesters should keep in mind that they may sell only to dealers that are licensed in the state.”

The Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program is accepting nominations for its ninth class, which begins in January.

The 18-month program focuses on fine-tuning the leadership skills of 20 active farmers or agribusiness professionals. It is funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, farm organizations, agribusinesses, alumni and program participants.

He was CEO of the Pork Producers from 1987 to 2009. He operated a family farm in Magnolia from 1972 until his death. Ovesen also served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart.

A $400 scholarship is available to LaRue County residents graduating from high school this year who plan to earn a degree in Family & Consumer Sciences, Agriculture or related fields or an adult county resident returning to college, vocational or technical school for any field of study. Application forms are available from the Extension Service office at 358-3401 or on the office Web site ces.ca.uky.edu/larue/FamilyConsumerSciences. Applications are due to the Extension Service by March 12.

Southern States is supporting FFA by selling FFA emblems for $1 through March 14. After you buy an emblem, you can sign your name on it or the name of a child you care about. The emblems will be displayed in the store. Proceeds are split between the local FFA chapter, the state FFA association and the National FFA Foundation.

On his last day in office, Jan. 20, 2001, former President Bill Clinton signed a piece of paper that finally put closure to a troubling time in the life of Hodgenville resident Woodie Handley.

The paper was a presidential pardon, granting forgiveness to Handley for a crime he committed as a young man more than 40 years earlier. It was one of 140 pardons – many of them controversial – issued by Clinton his last day in office.